Application of FAE technology to the design of nuclear airblast simulation experiments. Final report Sep 26--Feb 77. [Fuel air explosions (FAE)]

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6936495

Sauer, F; Stubbs, T

The detonation of fuel aerosols and vapors in air is investigated with respect to the applicability of this type of explosion to generating an airblast simulation a 1-KT nuclear airburst explosion. Extensive investigations into existing overpressure and overpressure-impulse data from weaponized FAE's and carefully controlled hemispherical balloon detonations has allowed a comparison of the fuel-air explosives with both condensed explosives (TNT and nitromethane) and a predicted 1-KT nuclear surface burst. It was found that, depending upon cloud geometry, the total fuel required for a 1-KT nuclear airblast simulation varied between 63 and 200 tons. The concentration of fuel in air must be close to stoichiometric and the mean droplet diameter must be 2500 microns or less. Investigation into existing nozzles indicate that it is questionable whether commercially available nozzles can project a vapor to the requisite height for the 1-KT simulation. Various fuel candidates were investigated. The prop-hydrocarbon compounds are attractive with higher order hydrocarbons being worth consideration.

• Research Organization: Physics International Co., San Leandro, Calif. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6936495
• Report Number(s): AD-A-047385; PIFR-978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450200* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives
ATMOSPHERIC EXPLOSIONS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVES
FLUIDS
GASES
NITRO COMPOUNDS
NITROMETHANE
NOZZLES
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
SIMULATION
TNT
VAPORS